Former employee indicted in alleged arson that gutted Long Island pizzeria

Suffolk County prosecutors announced Jan. 28 that 59-year-old Holtsville resident Constantine Sackos has been indicted on arson, burglary and related charges tied to a Nov. 18, 2025, blaze that gutted Pazzo Ristorante and Wood Fired Pizzeria in Wading River. The indictment marks the formal start of criminal proceedings in a fire that put the location out of service and disrupted jobs for front-of-house and back-of-house staff.

Prosecutors’ announcement identifies Sackos as a former employee of the restaurant; outlets reporting the case have variously described the incident as “a brazen act of alleged arson.” The available reporting lists the broad charges but does not specify the number of counts, statutory citations, or the evidence detailed in the indictment. There is no public text in the reporting supplied that confirms whether Sackos was fired prior to the Nov. 18 blaze; employment-termination details remain unverified and should be confirmed with the business or charging documents.

The fire was severe enough that officials and local reporting described the pizzeria as gutted or destroyed, leaving staff without a workplace and creating immediate uncertainty for wages and tips. For restaurant employees, sudden closures after disasters can mean lost shifts, unpaid time, and slow insurance processes; owner-operators and managers face rebuilding costs, potential layoffs, and disruption to supplier and payroll relationships. The case highlights how workplace disputes, when they occur, can have ripple effects across schedules, incomes, and local service rhythms.

Key pieces of information are not yet public in the reporting: prosecutors have not released a full transcript of the indictment or an affidavit describing alleged motive, method, or evidence such as surveillance footage or forensic findings. There is no published fire department report in the supplied text confirming cause-of-origin determinations, accelerant testing, damage estimates, or whether any individuals were injured. Court details such as arraignment date, bail conditions, assigned counsel, and next court appearances were not included in the material provided.

Restaurants and workers in the area should look for the Suffolk County District Attorney’s written charging instrument and the fire investigator’s report for clearer answers on motive and damage. Owners and managers may want to review security protocols, record-keeping on staffing changes, and communications plans for employees in case of emergency closures. For employees, documenting lost shifts and any wages owed will help when seeking unemployment assistance or emergency relief while the business navigates insurance and legal proceedings.

As the case moves through the courts, expect prosecutors to release formal documents and for defense counsel or the restaurant to respond; those records will determine whether the indictment’s allegations are supported by evidence that can be tested at trial and will shape the timeline for any potential reopening or compensation for displaced workers.